Electric heating pads are considered highly practical and comfortable. In this article, we’ll be looking at the truth behind heating pad electricity consumption.
In general, electric heating pads can typically use from 70 watts up to 150 watts. Some pads can even use 20 watts. The range for a specific heating pad depends on its size, thermostat setting, and manufacturing.
Below. I’ll explain in detail the amount of electricity a heating pad uses and its reasons.
Getting to Know Your Pad
No matter what the purpose of your pad is (heat therapy or to stay warm), all pads have a specific structural pattern.
They consist of the following:
- Insulated wires or other heating elements (i.e., fiberglass)
- A fabric inside of which are the wires
- A temperature control unit (or thermostat)
- An electrical outlet
The blanket’s thermostat sets the quantity of current that flows through the wires.
How Much Electricity Does a Heating Pad Use
Electric heating pads may use a variety of watt ranges.
- Heat therapy pads: 10-70 watts
- Small mattress pads: 60-100 watts
- Medium blankets: 70-150 watts
- Large heating pads: 120-200 watts
Note: you can find exactly how much electricity your pad needs to function in each setting in the user’s manual of your blanket.
What Causes High or Low Electricity Consumption
Similar to other machines, electrical heating pads can work better or worse in specific conditions.
Environment’s Temperature
The purpose of your item is to warm up a small area, such as a bed.
Let’s consider the following example. The temperature in your room is too low, and you have the pad exposed to the room’s temperature (meaning it’s not tucked under any covers).
In that case, your blanket is trying to produce as much thermal energy as possible to warm up the whole room. Thus, it uses extra electrical power.
Additionally, if the room is already warm enough, the blanket will not need as much effort to warm up your bed.
Thermostat Setting
As mentioned above, the control unit of your pad determines the current discharge.
When you set the temperature to very high, your blanket will need more electricity to function properly.
If you set it to very low, you will consume less electricity.
Size
The size of your pad is a crucial factor in electricity consumption.
The bigger the size of the pad, the longer the wires it uses. To work efficiently, it will need to use more electrical current.
That is why electrical heat therapy pads consume less electricity than mattress pads.
How Can You Lower Your Blanket’s Electricity Usage
Even though pad heating consumes a specific voltage range, you can always reduce electricity consumption.
Use in Confined Spaces
The purpose of electric pads is to warm up a small space. To reduce electricity consumption, you need to reduce the area you are heating.
If you intend to warm up a bed, the best thing you can do is to cover the heating pad with a blanket. It will seal the thermal energy between the mattress and the blanket, allowing the electric pad not to consume much power.
Another way to save energy is to operate your blanket in a small room.
Low Thermostat Setting
Pad heating functions with the help of a thermostat.
You can alter the thermal energy emitted by changing the setting of your blanket. The lower the setting, the less electricity it uses.
Purchase a Pad with Low Consumption Technology
Before selecting a heating pad, you must examine its operating system type.
Many technologically advanced heating pads use a mechanism that reduces electricity consumption. You can find out if the pad you are about to buy is using low-consumption techniques from the information included in the user’s manual or on the package.
Wrapping Up
The wattage range that a pad uses can vary between different types.
It all depends on the features of the pad, its purpose, and its mechanism. You can always lower the electricity consumption by adjusting its usage to your specific needs and personal space.
The most common range in the market is from 60 to 200 watts.
Take a look at some of our related articles below.
- How to test an electrical outlet with a multimeter
- What size wire for electric stove
- How many amps are needed to charge an electric car
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